paralegal

adjective

para·​le·​gal ˌper-ə-ˈlē-gəl 

ˌpa-rə-

: of, relating to, or being a paraprofessional who assists a lawyer

paralegal

ˈper-ə-ˌlē-gəl 

ˈpa-rə-

noun

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Much of the work in a law office can be done by paralegal assistants, also called legal aides or simply paralegals, who work alongside licensed lawyers. Often a paralegal is trained in a narrow field and then entrusted with it. In this respect, paralegals are similar to paraprofessionals in other fields, such as engineering. Paraprofessionals used to be trained in the office itself, but today it's common to study for a paraprofessional certificate or degree at a community college or university.

Examples of paralegal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Maria is the senior litigation paralegal at GE Appliances, and Daryl is the city arborist and green advisor for the City of St. Matthews. —Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 31 Oct. 2024

Officials say Mosley began her career there as a paralegal specialist in 2006 before becoming a county detective in 2009. —Greg Norman, Fox News, 17 Oct. 2024

Mosley began her career at the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office, located in Bridgeton, in 2006 as a paralegal specialist. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2024

But his attorneys argue the case should go no further after paralegal Dontae Ruiz’s Sept. 28 conversation with the woman, who is identified in court filings only by her first name, Beth. —Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

paralegal

adjective

para·​le·​gal ˌpar-ə-ˈlē-gəl 

: of, relating to, or being a paraprofessional who assists a lawyer compare clerk sense 2b

paralegal noun